Topic: 350 cam
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Just talked to a Vette enthusiast who stated I could increase the HP of my lowly L48 to 300 or 350 ponies just by changing the cam. Has anyone done this? Is it that simple? What would the downsides be?
Attitude - The difference between ordeal and adventure.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Mike, there is so much more to think about, how old and how many miles on you engine? Put new insides what about the heads, rockers, lifters, timing chain and so on, If you start to change things on your original engine things are going to break, more HP and the engine has to breath and then move the air through the system, exhaust. If you change the cam, pull and rebuild the whole engine. You want to go from 190 HP? to 350 HP, look at the whole package, my 2 cents buddy, more will jump in to help..Terry
"I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry" 
Former Member
Send PM
Newark, CA - USA
Joined: 4/29/2004
Posts: 350
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate
Monza Red
Yeah so much more than just the cam.
You would also want to change the heads and manifold and...and...
You would also want to change the heads and manifold and...and...
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Your L48 doesn't have enough compression to make a cam work.(Mine don't either)
You could get a little improvement with a conservative cam swap, but 300-350hp? Not likely.
Like has already been stated, the heads and intake will need to be changed, as well as the exhaust...and the pistons...and...etc. to get it up to the 300hp range. If it was as easy as swapping cams, I'da done it long ago!
You could get a little improvement with a conservative cam swap, but 300-350hp? Not likely.
Like has already been stated, the heads and intake will need to be changed, as well as the exhaust...and the pistons...and...etc. to get it up to the 300hp range. If it was as easy as swapping cams, I'da done it long ago!Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Perhaps they were saying you could swap the cam and get the 350hp, but they forgot to mention that the cam would come with a ZZ4 engine wrapped around it? 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Was just looking for a Christmas idea for Karen.
Attitude - The difference between ordeal and adventure.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
Ask Santa for a crate motor HO HO HOOO
[QUOTE=ParrotHead]Just talked to a Vette enthusiast who stated I could increase the HP of my lowly L48 to 300 or 350 ponies just by changing the cam. Has anyone done this? Is it that simple?...[/QUOTE]
Is it that simple? No. You would need to raise the compression ratio and a few other tweaks.
in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)